Affiliate Summit has been giving away “Pay It Forward Scholarships” to up to 50 affiliates per conference, who could not otherwise afford to attend, for a couple years now.

And now we’re starting up a “Pay it Forward Merchant Endowment” Program, where we will be sponsoring up to 8 merchants at Affiliate Summit East 2012 with free tradeshow space in the Exhibit Hall or Meet Market.

The goal of this new endowment is to make the tradeshow networking experience of Affiliate Summit available to merchants who might not otherwise be able to exhibit.

Each recipient of the Pay it Forward Merchant Endowment will be awarded their choice of one 8×10 booth package (non corner), valued at $6,825, or a Meet Market with Platinum Pass package, valued at $5,295. For more information on these packages, please visit http://www.affiliatesummit.com/12e-exhibitors/.

Endowments are limited to U.S. based merchants with active affiliate programs. Applicants will be considered based on current participation in; and future contribution to the affiliate marketing industry.

All applicants must answer ONE of these questions in essay form in 300 words or less:

What is a problem in affiliate marketing and how do you propose it be fixed?

What are the top two unique value propositions for affiliates in your affiliate program?